Judge denies WWE dismissal in ring boy lawsuit

A federal judge rejected a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against WWE and TKO, Vince McMahon, and Linda McMahon. The case involves seven plaintiffs who allege they were sexually abused as minors in the 1980s and 1990s while working as ring boys for WWE.

The plaintiffs claim abuse by former WWE ring announcer Mel Phillips. One plaintiff also alleges sexual abuse by former executive Pat Patterson, and another alleges sexual harassment by former Vice President of Operations Terry Garvin. All three accused individuals have since passed away.

The suit accuses the McMahons and WWE of negligence for allegedly allowing the abuse to occur and continue. The case was filed under the Maryland Child Victims Act, which removes time limits for lawsuits related to child sexual abuse.

WWE, TKO, and the McMahons argued that the Maryland law violates the 14th Amendment by being unfair or arbitrary, especially given the decades-old allegations and the deaths of the accused. The judge ruled that the defendants failed to demonstrate how the law is arbitrary or irrational in this case.

With the motion to dismiss denied, the lawsuit will proceed to the discovery phase. A teleconference is scheduled for November 17 to establish additional deadlines.